Scott Paul Johnson

GarageBand 3 | Audio Interface & Setting Gain

Added 2021-05-06 17:28:25 +0000 UTC

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Hi Everyone,

In this lesson we talk about how to use an Audio Interface with GarageBand. First, how to make sure that GarageBand recognizes the device, then how to set the gain for your guitar or microphone to ensure that your recorded signal is just right to avoid any background noise or clipping.

Once you have the gain settings dialed in, you can record with input monitoring selected, or you can record with the "direct monitoring" button enabled on your device for low-latency recording. Input monitoring gives you the advantage of being able to try out the plethora of available amp modeling software on GarageBand but invites the risk of latency on older or slower computers/devices. Once you record, you can playback your recordings through the amp modeling software.

This stuff is at the very core of how to get good recordings and have fun trying out the software effects that make GarageBand so inviting and helpful for creative music writing. Check out the attached "Interface Guide" PDF to help with this lesson.

Your homework is just to record a little something with a guitar and/or microphone with your gain adjusted properly. It could be a few measures of noodling, part of a song, whatever you like! As long as your gain is set nicely, I don't particularly care! Upload your homework mp3 to the community forum. You may have questions! You can also post them on the community forum with screenshots or photos surrounding your confusion.

Other lessons in this series:

GarageBand 1 | Getting Started

GarageBand 2 | Software Instruments

GarageBand 3 | Audio Interface & Setting Gain (current lesson)

GarageBand 4 | Recording Process & Basic Mixing

GarageBand 5 | Adding Effects and Final Mixing

Check out the Lesson Archive for more Songwriting lessons